PORTER FINISHES 17TH AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

EUGENE, Ore. – She's only five foot in stature, but sophomore Kiara Porter will always loom large in VCU Women's Track & Field history.

On Wednesday night, the Yorktown, Va. native became just the fourth Ram in women's track & field history to earn a top-20 finish at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Porter clocked in at 53.17 in the 400m semifinals, good for 17th overall.

"I feel that this year has gone well for me. I accomplished so many goals that I had set for myself during the outdoor season. Of course I would have liked to finish a little higher today, but it was my first time ever being at this meet, so I'm just overjoyed at the opportunity given to me," Porter said. "With the help of my coaches and teammates, I feel like my future here at VCU is going to be the sky is the limit."

Her time of 53.17 was the fourth best of her spring season and ranks as the fourth best time in school history. She was just .04 seconds away from being a USTFCCCA Second-Team All-American, with the top 16 finishers earning automatic All-American status.

"Kiara has had an incredible season," Head Coach Jon Riley said. "She put herself in position to compete at the NCAA Championships by working hard and being determined. The race didn't go according to plan, but she fought hard to the finish. I'm proud of her regardless of where she placed. She set her goals to make it to this meet and did just that. I can only imagine what next year's goals are going to be."

Porter will remain in Oregon tomorrow to root on her teammate, redshirt junior Jaleesa Williams, who throws in the women's discus finals. The first thrower is set to go off at 5 p.m.